Display device

ABSTRACT

A display device includes a substrate that includes a bending area, a display active layer disposed on the substrate and that displays an image, a polarization layer disposed on the display active layer, a protective layer that contacts an end of the polarization layer and covers the bending area of the substrate; and an adhesive layer disposed on a boundary between the polarization layer and the protective layer, the adhesive layer extends from the end of the polarization layer toward the bending area by an extension area to overlap a portion of the protective layer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/814,829, filed on Jul. 25, 2022 in the U.S. Patent and TrademarkOffice, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/151,247, filed on Jan. 18, 2021 in the U.S. Patent and TrademarkOffice, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/164,442, filed on Oct. 18, 2018 in the U.S. Patent and TrademarkOffice, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,897,018 on Jan. 19, 2021, andwhich claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 from, and the benefit of,Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0019871, filed in the KoreanIntellectual Property Office on Feb. 20, 2018, the contents of both ofwhich are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND (a) Technical Field

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a display device,and more particularly, to a display device that can reduce dead spacethereof.

(b) Discussion of the Related Art

Recently, a flexible display device that uses a substrate comprising aflexible material such as plastic has been developed. Flexible displaydevices are next-generation display devices that can be used not only inTVs and computer monitors but also in portable devices and wearabledevices.

On the other hand, a display device that can reduce dead space thereofby using flexible substrate has been developed. The dead space of adisplay device refers to a non-display area in which an image is notdisplayed, and the non-display area is disposed around a display area.

It is possible to reduce the dead space of the display device byincorporating a flexible substrate into the display device and bendingan area. However, as the flexible substrate is bent, the substrate maycrack, or a wire disposed on the substrate may crack. To prevent such acrack, a protective layer may be applied to the bent area, butdelamination defects of the protective layer may occur when thesubstrate is bent.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure can provide a display device thatcan prevent delamination defects of a protective layer, that can preventdamage to the display device from being bent, and that can effectivelyreduce dead space of the display device.

An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a displaydevice, including: a substrate that includes a bending area; a displayactive layer disposed on the substrate and that displays an image; apolarization layer disposed on the display active layer; a protectivelayer that contacts an end of the polarization layer and covers thebending area of the substrate; and an adhesive layer disposed on aboundary between the polarization layer and the protective layer, theadhesive layer extends from the end of the polarization layer toward thebending area by an extension area to overlap a portion of the protectivelayer.

\The extension area ranges from 50 μm to 300 μm in width.

The substrate may include a display area on which the display activelayer is disposed and a non-display area that includes the bending area.

The adhesive layer may overlap the polarization layer in the displayarea, and may overlap the portion of the protective layer in thenon-display area, and the protective layer may contact an end of thedisplay active layer.

An upper surface of the protective layer may be coplanar with an uppersurface of the polarization layer.

An upper surface of the protective layer may be higher than an uppersurface of the polarization layer.

The display device may further include a laminated member disposed onthe adhesive layer, wherein the laminated member may be disposed on aboundary between the polarization layer and the protective layer.

The laminated member may be a touch panel.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a display device,including: a substrate that includes a bending area; a display activelayer disposed on the substrate and that displays an image; apolarization layer disposed on the display active layer; a protectivelayer that contacts an end of the polarization layer and covers thebending area of the substrate; an adhesive layer disposed on thepolarization layer; and a filling layer disposed on the boundary betweenthe polarization layer and the protective layer that contacts an end ofthe adhesive layer, and includes an extension area that extends from theend of the polarization layer toward the bending area and overlaps theportion of the protective layer.

The extension area ranges from 50 μm to 300 μm in width.

The substrate may include a display area on which the display activelayer is disposed and a non-display area that includes the bending area.

The filling layer may overlap some of the polarization layer in thedisplay area, and overlaps the portion of the protective layer in thenon-display area, and the protective layer may contact an end of thedisplay active layer.

The display device may further include a laminated member disposed onthe adhesive layer and the filling layer, wherein the laminated membermay be disposed on the boundary between the polarization layer and theprotective layer.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a display device,including: a substrate that includes a bending area; a display activelayer disposed on the substrate and that displays an image; a protectivelayer that contacts an end of the display active layer and covers thebending area of the substrate; and a polarization layer disposed on aboundary between the display active layer and the protective layer andthat includes an extension area that extends from the end of the displayactive layer toward the bending area and overlaps a portion of theprotective layer.

The extension area ranges from 50 μm to 300 μm in width.

The substrate may include a display area on which the display activelayer is disposed and a non-display area that includes the bending area.

The polarization layer may overlap the display active layer in thedisplay area, and overlaps the portion of the protective layer in thenon-display area.

The display device may further include a first adhesive layer disposedbetween the display active layer and the polarization layer, wherein thefirst adhesive layer may overlap the display active layer in the displayarea, and may extend from the end of the display active layer toward thebending area and overlaps the portion of the protective layer in thenon-display area.

The display device may further include: a second adhesive layer disposedon the polarization layer; and a laminated member disposed on the secondadhesive layer, wherein the laminated member may overlap a boundarybetween the polarization layer and the protective layer.

The second adhesive layer may overlap the polarization layer in thedisplay area, and does not extend into the non-display area.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure,delamination defects of a protective layer that protecting a bent areacan be prevented, and the display device can be prevented from beingdamaged by being bent. Therefore, it is possible to further reduce deadspace of the display device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a display device according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure in a plan view.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 illustrates a state in which a display device of FIG. 1 is bent.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a display active layer of a displaydevice according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a display device according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a state in which a display device of FIG. 5 is bent.

FIG. 7 illustrates a peel-off-force applied to a protective layer when adisplay panel is bent, and FIG. 8 is a graph of the shearing stress dueto the bending of a display panel of FIG. 7 .

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a display device according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates a state in which a display device of FIG. 9 is bent.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a display device according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 illustrates a state in which a display device of FIG. 11 isbent.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described more fullyhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in whichexemplary embodiments of the disclosure are shown. As those skilled inthe art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified invarious different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scopeof the present disclosure.

Like reference numerals may designate like elements throughout thespecification.

In the drawings, the thicknesses of layers, films, panels, regions, etc.may be exaggerated for clarity.

It will be understood that when an element such as a layer, film,region, or substrate is referred to as being “on” another element, itcan be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also bepresent.

Hereinafter, a display device according to an exemplary embodiment willbe described with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 .

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a display device according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure in a plan view. FIG. 2 is across-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1 . FIG. 3illustrates a state in which the display device of FIG. 1 is bent.

Referring to FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment, a display device 1000includes a display panel 100, a printed circuit board (PCB) 300, and aflexible printed circuit film 200. The flexible printed circuit film 200connects the display panel 100 and the printed circuit board 300.

The display panel 100 includes a display area DA and a non-display areaPA. The display area DA is an area that includes a plurality of pixelsand displays an image. The non-display area PA is an area in whichelements and wires that generate or transmit various signals to thedisplay area DA are disposed.

According to an embodiment, one side of the flexible printed circuitfilm 200 is connected to the non-display area PA of the display panel100, and another side of the flexible printed circuit film 200 isconnected to the printed circuit board 300. A driving circuit portion250 is disposed on the flexible printed circuit film 200. The drivingcircuit portion 250 generates a data signal transmitted to the pluralityof pixels.

According to an embodiment, the printed circuit board 300 generates adriving signal that drives the display panel 100 and a plurality ofsignals for transmitting the driving signal at an appropriate time, andthen transmits them to the display panel 100 through the flexibleprinted circuit film 200 and the driving circuit portion 250.

According to an embodiment, the non-display area PA of the display panel100 includes a bending area BA. The bending area BA is an area of thedisplay panel 100 that can be bent. The display panel 100 can be bent bythe bending area BA. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 3 , parts of thedisplay panel 100, such as the non-display area PA and the flexibleprinted circuit film 200 are disposed on a rear surface of the displaypanel 100. In this case, the printed circuit board 300 is also disposedon the rear surface of the display panel 100. The non-display area PA isbent at the bending area BA to be disposed on the rear surface of thedisplay panel 100, thereby reducing dead space due to the non-displayarea PA.

Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 , according to an embodiment, the displaypanel 100 includes a substrate 110, a display active layer 120, a firstadhesive layer 125, a polarization layer 130, a supporting member 140, aprotective layer 150, a second adhesive layer 160, and a laminatedmember 170.

According to an embodiment, the substrate 110 includes a flexiblematerial such as ultra-thin glass or plastic that can be curved, bent,folded, or rolled. For example, the substrate 110 may include polyimide(PI), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polycarbonate (PC), polyarylate(PAR), polyether imide (PEI), polyether sulfone (PES), etc. Thesubstrate 110 is divided into the display area DA and the non-displayarea PA described above with reference to FIG. 1 , and includes thebending area BA of the non-display area PA.

According to an embodiment, the display active layer 120 is disposed onthe substrate 110. The display active layer 120 includes a plurality ofpixels for displaying an image, wires connected to the plurality ofpixels, and a plurality of insulating layers, and is disposed in thedisplay area DA. In some exemplary embodiments, the display active layer120 includes a touch sensing layer that senses touches.

According to an embodiment, the first adhesive layer 125 is disposed onthe display active layer 120. The first adhesive layer 125 includes anoptically clear adhesive (OCA).

According to an embodiment, the polarization layer 130 is disposed onthe first adhesive layer 125. The polarization layer 130 is adhered tothe display active layer 120 by the first adhesive layer 125. Thepolarization layer 130 reduces reflection of external light. Thepolarization layer 130 is disposed in the display area DA to correspondto the display active layer 120.

According to an embodiment, the supporting member 140 is disposed underthe substrate 110. The supporting member 140 supports and protects thesubstrate 110. The supporting member 140 includes an opening 145 thatoverlaps the bending area BA. Accordingly, the display panel 100 can beeasily bent in the bending area BA.

According to an embodiment, the protective layer 150 protects thebending area BA and is disposed on the substrate 110. The protectivelayer 150 is disposed in the non-display area PA includes one end thatcontacts an end 131 of the polarization layer 130 and another enddisposed on the flexible printed circuit film 200, and covers thebending area BA. The flexible printed circuit film 200 is attached to anupper portion of the substrate 110. One end of the protective layer 150contacts an end of the display active layer 120. The protective layer150 contains a photocurable organic material. A thickness of theprotective layer 150 ranges from about 100 μm to about 150 μm. Thethickness of the protective layer 150 is a height of the protectivelayer 150 in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the substrate110. An upper surface of the protective layer 150 is substantiallycoplanar with an upper surface of the polarization layer 130.

As described above, according to an embodiment, the elements and wiresthat generate or transmit various signals to the display area DA aredisposed in the non-display area PA. The elements and wires are disposedon the substrate 110 together with an insulating layer. When the displaypanel 100 is bent, a wire or insulating layer disposed in the bendingarea BA can break or crack due to stress and tensile forces due to beingbent. In addition, after the display panel 100 is bent, a wire orinsulating layer disposed in the bending area BA can be damaged byvibration and external impact. The protective layer 150 can protectagainst damage that can occur when or after the display panel 100 isbent.

According to an embodiment, the end 131 of the polarization layer 130corresponds to a boundary between the polarization layer 130 and theprotective layer 150. In addition, the protective layer 150 contacts anend of the display active layer 120. In some exemplary embodiments, theend 131 of the polarization layer 130 coincides with the end of thedisplay active layer 120, and in this case, an end of the protectivelayer 150 coincides with the end of the display active layer 120 and theend of the display active layer 120 corresponds to the boundary betweenthe polarization layer 130 and the protective layer 150.

According to an embodiment, the second adhesive layer 160 is disposed onthe polarization layer 130 and the protective layer 150. The secondadhesive layer 160 includes an optically clear adhesive (OCA). Thesecond adhesive layer 160 overlaps the polarization layer 130 in thedisplay area DA, and includes an extension area EA that extends from theend 131 of the polarization layer 130 toward the bending area BA in thenon-display area PA and overlaps a portion of the protective layer 150.That is, the second adhesive layer 160 is disposed on the boundarybetween the polarization layer 130 and the protective layer 150. Theextension area EA ranges from about 50 μm to about 300 μm in width. Thatis, the second adhesive layer 160 extends from the end 131 of thepolarization layer 130 toward the bending area BA in the non-displayarea PA by about 50 μm to about 300 μm and overlaps the portion of theprotective layer 150. If the second adhesive layer 160 extends from theend 131 of the polarization layer 130 toward the bending area BA by lessthan 50 μm, that ability of the second adhesive layer 160 to preventdelamination of the protective layer 150 may be weakened. In addition,if the second adhesive layer 160 extends from the end 131 of thepolarization layer 130 toward the bending area BA by more than 300 μm,the second adhesive layer 160 may extend past the bending area BA or anedge of the laminated member 170

According to an embodiment, the laminated member 170 is disposed on thesecond adhesive layer 160. The laminated member 170 is disposed on thedisplay area DA, and extends toward the bending area BA and overlaps aportion of the non-display area PA. The laminated member 170 includes anextension area EA that extends toward the bending area BA. In this case,the second adhesive layer 160 extends from the end 131 of thepolarization layer 130 to an end of the laminated member 170 to overlapa portion of the protective layer 150. In addition, the laminated member170 is disposed on the boundary between the polarization layer 130 andthe protective layer 150, and overlaps the portion of the protectivelayer 150 in the extension area EA.

In some exemplary embodiments, the laminated member 170 includeselements depending on a function or structure of the display device1000. For example, if the display active layer 120 does not include atouch sensing layer for sensing touches and the display device 1000 usesa separate touch panel, the laminated member 170 includes a touch panel.That is, a touch panel is disposed on the second adhesive layer 160, andthe touch panel is adhered to the polarization layer 130 by the secondadhesive layer 160. Alternatively, in some exemplary embodiments, thelaminated member 170 includes a cover window that protects the displaypanel 100. That is, the cover window is disposed on the second adhesivelayer 160, and the cover window is adhered to the polarization layer 130by the second adhesive layer 160.

According to an embodiment, when the display panel 100 is bent, theadherence of the protective layer 150 can be weakened due to stress andtensile forces.

In a present exemplary embodiment, as the second adhesive layer 160 isdisposed on the boundary between the polarization layer 130 and theprotective layer 150, an adherence of the protective layer 150 can beimproved. As the adherence of the protective layer 150 improves, it ispossible to bend the display panel 100 and to prevent delaminationdefects of the protective layer 150 so that the dead space can befurther reduced. According to an experimental example, when the secondadhesive layer 160 is disposed on the boundary between the polarizationlayer 130 and the protective layer 150, even though the display panel100 is bent so that there is 180 μm of dead space, delamination defectsof the protective layer 150 do not occur.

Hereinafter, a display active layer 120 according to a present exemplaryembodiment will be described.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a display active layer of a displaydevice according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.The cross-section shown in FIG. 4 substantially corresponds to one pixelarea.

Referring to FIG. 4 , according to an embodiment, the display activelayer 120 include a plurality of insulating layers 10, 30, 50, 70, and80, a transistor TR, a light emitting diode LD connected to thetransistor TR, an encapsulation layer 90, and a touch sensor layer TSL.

According to an embodiment, a buffer layer 10 is disposed on thesubstrate 110. In a process of forming a semiconductor layer 20 of thetransistor TR, the buffer layer 10 can block impurities from diffusingfrom the substrate 110 into the semiconductor layer 20 and can reducestress on the substrate 110.

According to an embodiment, the semiconductor layer 20 of the transistorTR is disposed on the buffer layer 10, and a gate insulating layer 30 isdisposed on the semiconductor layer 20. The semiconductor layer 20includes a source region, a drain region, and a channel region betweenthe source region and the drain region. The semiconductor layer 20 mayinclude polysilicon, amorphous silicon, or an oxide semiconductor. Thegate insulating layer 30 may include an inorganic insulating materialsuch as silicon oxide or silicon nitride.

According to an embodiment, a gate conductor that includes a gateelectrode 40 of the transistor TR is disposed on the gate insulatinglayer 30. The gate conductor may include a metal such as molybdenum(Mo), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), chromium (Cr), tantalum(Ta), or titanium (Ti), or a metal alloy thereof.

According to an embodiment, a first insulating layer 50 is disposed onthe gate conductor. The first insulating layer 50 includes an inorganicinsulating material.

According to an embodiment, a data conductor that includes a sourceelectrode 63 and a drain electrode 65 of the transistor TR is disposedon the first insulating layer 50. The source electrode 63 and the drainelectrode 65 are respectively connected to the source region and thedrain region of the semiconductor layer 20 through contact holes formedin the first insulating layer 50 and the gate insulating layer 30. Thedata conductor may include a metal such as aluminum (Al), copper (Cu),silver (Ag), molybdenum (Mo), chromium (Cr), gold (Au), platinum (Pt),palladium (Pd), tantalum (Ta), tungsten (W), titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni),etc., or a metal alloy thereof.

According to an embodiment, a second insulating layer 70 is disposed onthe data conductor. The second insulating layer 70 includes an organicinsulating material.

According to an embodiment, a pixel electrode PE is disposed on thesecond insulating layer 70. The pixel electrode PE is connected to thedrain electrode 65 through a contact hole formed in the secondinsulating layer 70 and receives a data signal that controls luminanceof the light emitting diode LD.

According to an embodiment, a pixel defining layer 80 is disposed on thesecond insulating layer 70. The pixel defining layer 80 is provided withan opening that overlaps the pixel electrode PE. An emission layer EL isdisposed on the pixel electrode PE, and a common electrode CE isdisposed on the emission layer EL. The pixel electrode PE, the emissionlayer EL, and the common electrode CE form the light emitting diode LD.The pixel electrode PE may be an anode of the light emitting diode LD,and the common electrode CE may be a cathode of the light emitting diodeLD.

The encapsulation layer 90 that protects the light emitting diode LD isdisposed on the common electrode CE. In some exemplary embodiments,instead of the encapsulation layer 90, an encapsulation substrate isdisposed thereon.

According to an embodiment, the touch sensor layer TSL is disposed onthe encapsulation layer 90. The touch sensor layer TSL includes touchelectrodes formed with a transparent conductive material such as ITO andIZO, a metal mesh, etc., and the touch electrodes may have a singlelayer or a multiple layers. In some exemplary embodiments, the touchsensor layer TSL is omitted.

Hereinafter, a display device according to another exemplary embodimentwill be described with reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 . Compared with adisplay device described above with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 ,differences will be mainly described.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a display device according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6illustrates a state in which the display device of FIG. 5 is bent.

Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 , according to an embodiment, there is astep ST at the boundary between the polarization layer 130 and theprotective layer 150. The polarization layer 130 is formed lower thanthe protective layer 150 by the step ST. That is, an upper surface ofthe polarization layer 130 is lower than an upper surface of theprotective layer 150 by the step ST.

During a manufacturing process of the display device 1000, when aprotective film is disposed, a photocurable organic material for formingthe protective layer 150 is coated on the polarization layer 130, theprotective film is then removed, and then the second adhesive layer 160is formed on the polarization layer 130 and the protective layer 150.The step ST corresponds to a thickness of the protective film, and theupper surface of the polarization layer 130 is disposed lower than theupper surface of the protective layer 150 by the step ST. By forming thesecond adhesive layer 160 on the polarization layer 130 and theprotective layer 150 that have the step ST, a contact area between thesecond adhesive layer 160 and the protective layer 150 can be furtherincreased, and the adherence of the second adhesive layer 160 to theprotective layer 150 can be further improved.

Except for these differences, features of an exemplary embodimentdescribed above with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 can be incorporatedinto an exemplary embodiment described with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG.5 , so that redundant descriptions are omitted.

Hereinafter, a simulation result of an exemplary embodiment that canprevent delamination defects of the protective layer 150 by disposingthe second adhesive layer 160 on the boundary between the polarizationlayer 130 and the protective layer 150 will be described with referenceto FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 .

FIG. 7 illustrates a peel-off-force applied to a protective layer when adisplay panel is bent, and FIG. 8 is a graph of the shearing stress dueto the bending of a display panel of FIG. 7 . The display active layer120 and the first adhesive layer 125 described above with reference toFIG. 2 to FIG. 4 were omitted in the simulation, and the simulation wasperformed for a case in which the extension area EA is 300 μm in width.

According to an embodiment, when the display panel 100 of FIG. 2 or FIG.5 is bent as shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 6 , a peel-off-force generated inthe protective layer 150 is a sum of a first force F1 in a verticaldirection due to the bending of the protective layer 150 and a secondforce F2 in a horizontal direction due to the shearing stress of theprotective layer 150.

As in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the secondadhesive layer 160 extends from the end 131 of the polarization layer130 toward the bending area BA to overlap a portion of the protectivelayer 150, thus the first force F1 and the second force F2 can besuppressed by the second adhesive layer 160. That is, the peel-off-forceof the protective layer 150 is suppressed, thus the delamination of theprotective layer 150 can be prevented.

Referring to FIG. 8 , according to an embodiment, when the display panel100 is bent, and when the second adhesive layer 160 overlaps a portionof the protective layer 150 as in an embodiment of the presentdisclosure, a magnitude of a first shear stress S1 applied to theprotective layer 150 was simulated as a function of time while the thedisplay panel 100 is bent, and as a comparative example, when the secondadhesive layer 160 does not overlap the protective layer 150, a relativemagnitude of a second shear stress S2 applied to the protective layer150 was simulated as a function of time while the the display panel 100is bent. The maximum of the first shear stress S1 is about while therelative maximum of the second shear stress S2 is about 0.8. That is, ascompared with a comparative example in which the second adhesive layer160 does not overlap the protective layer 150, when the second adhesivelayer 160 overlaps the protective layer 150 as in an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure, the shearing stress of theprotective layer 150 can be reduced by about 50%.

Hereinafter, a display device according to another exemplary embodimentwill be described with reference to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 . Compared withexemplary embodiments of FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 described above, differenceswill be mainly described.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a display device according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10illustrates a state in which a display device of FIG. 9 is bent.

Referring to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 , according to an embodiment, thedisplay panel 100 includes the substrate 110, the display active layer120, the first adhesive layer 125, the polarization layer 130, thesupporting member 140, the protective layer 150, the second adhesivelayer 160, a filling layer 165, and the laminated member 170. That is,compared with an exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 describedabove, the display panel 100 additionally includes the filling layer165.

According to an embodiment, the second adhesive layer 160 is disposedbetween the polarization layer 130 and the laminated member 170 andoverlaps the polarization layer 130, however it does not extend to theend 131 of the polarization layer 130 but does not overlap thepolarization layer 130 in the vicinity of the end 131 of thepolarization layer 130.

According to an embodiment, the filling layer 165 is disposed on theboundary between the polarization layer 130 and the protective layer150. The filling layer 165 contacts an end of the second adhesive layer160 in the display area DA and overlaps a portion of the polarizationlayer 130, and includes the extension portion EA that extends toward thebending area BA and overlaps a portion of the protective layer 150. Thefilling layer 165 extends from the end 131 of the polarization layer 130toward the bending area BA by from about 50 μm to about 300 μm andoverlaps the portion of the protective layer 150.

According to an embodiment, the laminated member 170 is disposed on thesecond adhesive layer 160 and the filling layer 165. The laminatedmember 170 includes the extension area EA that extends toward thebending area BA, and in this case, the filling layer 165 extends fromthe end 131 of the polarization layer 130 to the end of the laminatedmember 170 in the non-display area PA and overlaps a portion of theprotective layer 150.

According to an embodiment, after the display panel 100 is bent, a gapbetween the polarization layer 130 and the laminated member 170 and agap between the protective layer 150 and the laminated member 170 isfilled with the filling layer 165. The filling layer 165 includes afiller of an organic or inorganic material.

In a present exemplary embodiment, the filling layer 165 is disposed onthe boundary between the polarization layer 130 and the protective layer150. Accordingly, the adherence of the protective layer 150 is improved.As the adherence of the protective layer 150 improves, it is possible tobend the display panel 100 and to prevent delamination defects of theprotective layer 150 so that dead space can be further reduced.

Except for these differences, the features of exemplary embodimentsdescribed above with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 can be incorporatedinto an exemplary embodiment described with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG.10 , so that redundant descriptions are omitted.

Hereinafter, a display device according to another exemplary embodimentwill be described with reference to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 . Compared witha display device described above with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 ,differences will be mainly described.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a display device according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 12illustrates a state in which a display device of FIG. 11 is bent.

Referring to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 , according to an embodiment, theprotective layer 150 includes one end that contacts an end 121 of thedisplay active layer 120, another end disposed on the flexible printedcircuit film 200, and covers the bending area BA. The end 121 of thedisplay active layer 120 corresponds to a boundary between the displayactive layer 120 and the protective layer 150.

According to an embodiment, the first adhesive layer 125 and thepolarization layer 130 are disposed on the boundary between the displayactive layer 120 and the protective layer 150. The first adhesive layer125 and the polarization layer 130 overlap the display active layer 120in the display area DA, and include an extension area EA′ in thenon-display area PA that extends from the end 121 of the display activelayer 120 toward the bending area BA to overlap the portion of theprotective layer 150.

According to an embodiment, the second adhesive layer 160 is disposedbetween the polarization layer 130 and the laminated member 170 andoverlaps the polarization layer 130, however it does not include theextension area EA′ and does not overlap the polarization layer 130 inthe vicinity of the end of the polarization layer 130. Alternatively, insome exemplary embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 , thesecond adhesive layer 160 may extend to the end of the laminated member170 to overlap a portion of the protective layer 150. The laminatedmember 170 overlaps the boundary between the display active layer 120and the protective layer 150.

In a present exemplary embodiment, the first adhesive layer 125 and thepolarization layer 130 are disposed on the boundary between the displayactive layer 120 and the protective layer 150. Accordingly, theadherence of the protective layer 150 is improved. As the adherence ofthe protective layer 150 improves, it is possible to bend the displaypanel 100 and to prevent delamination defects of the protective layer150 so that dead space can be further reduced.

Except for these differences, features of exemplary embodimentsdescribed above with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 can be incorporatedinto an exemplary embodiment described with reference to FIG. 11 andFIG. 12 , so that redundant descriptions are omitted.

While embodiments of this disclosure have been described in connectionwith what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments,it is to be understood that embodiments of the disclosure are notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, but, on the contrary,are intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangementsincluded within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

1.-40. (canceled)
 41. A display device, comprising: a supporting layer;a substrate disposed on the supporting layer and that includes a firstarea that displays an image, a second area, and a bendable area disposedbetween the first area and the second area; a polarization layerdisposed on the first area of the substrate; a protective layer disposedon the substrate and that covers the bendable area and a part of thesecond area of the substrate; an adhesive layer disposed on thepolarization layer and the protective layer, and that includes a firstportion that overlaps the polarization layer and a second portion thatoverlaps the protective layer; and a cover layer disposed on theadhesive layer, wherein a thickness of the adhesive layer that overlapsthe polarization layer is greater than a thickness of the adhesive layerthat overlaps the protective layer.
 42. The display device of claim 41,wherein the supporting layer overlaps the first area of the substrate.43. The display device of claim 41, wherein the supporting layeroverlaps the polarization layer and a part of the protective layer. 44.The display device of claim 41, wherein the supporting layer is spacedapart from the bendable area.
 45. The display device of claim 44,wherein the supporting layer includes an opening that overlaps thebendable area.
 46. The display device of claim 41, wherein an uppersurface of the polarization layer is located at a lower level than anupper surface of the protective layer.
 47. The display device of claim41, wherein an upper surface of the first portion of the adhesive layerand an upper surface of the second portion of the adhesive layer formthe same surface, area.
 48. The display device of claim 47, wherein thesecond portion of the adhesive layer is spaced apart from the bendablearea.
 49. The display device of claim 41, wherein the protective layercontacts an end of the polarization layer.
 50. The display device ofclaim 41, wherein the cover layer overlaps the second portion of theadhesive layer.
 51. The display device of claim 41, wherein the adhesivelayer includes an optically clear adhesive.
 52. The display device ofclaim 41, further comprising: a flexible printed circuit film thatincludes a side attached to the second area of the substrate.
 53. Thedisplay device of claim 52, further comprising: a driving circuitportion disposed on the flexible printed circuit film.
 54. The displaydevice of claim 53, further comprising: a printed circuit boardconnected to another side of the flexible printed circuit film.
 55. Thedisplay device of claim 41, wherein the substrate includes at least oneof polyimide (PI), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polycarbonate (PC),polyarylate (PAR), polyether imide (PEI), or polyether sulfone (PES).56. The display device of claim 41, wherein the first area includes: abuffer layer disposed on the substrate; a semiconductor layer disposedon the buffer layer, and thaw includes a channel region of a transistor;a gate insulating layer disposed on the semiconductor layer; a gateconductor disposed on the gate insulating layer and that includes a gateelectrode of the transistor; a first insulating layer disposed on thegate conductor; a data conductor disposed on the first insulating laver;a second insulating layer disposed on the data conductor; a pixelelectrode disposed on the second insulating layer; an emission layerdisposed on the pixel electrode, and a common electrode disposed on theemission layer.
 57. The display device of claim 56, wherein the firstarea further includes: a pixel defining layer disposed on the secondinsulating layer and that includes an opening that overlaps the pixelelectrode, and an encapsulation layer disposed on the common electrode.58. The display device of claim 57, further comprising: a touch sensorlayer disposed on the encapsulation layer, wherein the touch sensorlayer includes touch electrodes that include a single layer or multiplelayers.
 59. The display device of claim 56, wherein the pixel electrode,the emission layer, and the common electrode CE form a light emittingdiode, wherein the pixel electrode is an anode of the light emittingdiode, and the common electrode is a cathode of the light emittingdiode.
 60. The display device of claim 41, wherein a step is disposed ata boundary between the polarization layer and the protective layer. 61.The display device of claim 60, wherein the adhesive layer covers thestep.
 62. The display device of claim 60, wherein the step correspondsto a thickness of the protective film.